Habit

"First we make our habits, then our habits make us." ~ Charles C. Noble

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Aristotle

“Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconcious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character...” ~ Stephen R. Covey

"Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads on to actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.” ~ Tryon Edwards

This is the second of ten articles that I am writing about character building. These articles are based on a booklet that was published in 1915 named "Character Building". Here are links to the first two articles in the series;

The Science of Character Building

The Common Good

The booklet believes that habit is an important part of character building. Habit has been defined as "an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary". This is what the booklet says about habit;

"What one gets in the habit of doing, becomes second nature.

If one is in the habit of telling the truth, it will become natural and easy to tell the truth.

If one is in the habit of telling falsehoods, the habit of doing so will grow, till a lie will often be told where the truth would answer the purpose much better.

Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day till it becomes so strong we cannot break it."

The Common Good

“Unless we work for the common good there won't be any” ~ Unknown

"All men were created to busy themselves with labor for the common good. " ~ John Calvin

This is the first of ten articles that I am writing about character building. These articles will be based on a booklet that was published in 1915 named "Character Building". This is the Introduction to the blog posts in the series;

The Science Of Character Building

The booklet believes that working for the common good is an important part of character building. Common good has been defined as whatever is best for society as a whole. This is what the publication says about the common good;

"Man serves himself best by promoting the common
good.

A civilization is necessary for the peace and contentment of
the people.

The better the civilization, the easier it will be for each
and all to be prosperous and happy.

Those who promote the common good are building the temple of
civilization.

And those who do not help to promote the common good, but neglect it or try to pluck it, are tearing out the pillars that support the temple of civilization.

"What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character. " ~ George W. Bush
Inaugural address, January 20, 2001.

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." ~ Luke 6:31 NIV